Iran Postpones Talks On Russian Nuclear Proposal

Iran's nuclear facility at Natanz (file photo) (epa)
13 February 2006 -- Iran said today talks with Russia this week on Moscow's proposal to enrich uranium for Iran on Russian soil have been delayed.

Government spokesman Gholam-Hussein Elham said the talks have not been cancelled, but that the date should be discussed.

In Moscow, Deputy Foreign minister Sergei Kislyak said Russia remained prepared to hold talks with Iran on the proposal on 16 February, as initially planned.

Elham also said Iran would resume uranium-enrichment activities at its Natanz plant even before 6 March, when International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Muhammad el-Baradei is to report to the UN nuclear watchdog on Iran's atomic work.

On 4 February, the IAEA voted to report Iran to the UN Security Council but left one month for diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. Russia had put forward its proposal to ease international concerns that Iran could enrich weapons-grade uranium.